The Usher

While on holiday, we attended church with my son and his family. We attend this church whenever we are in the area and count many of the members as good friends.

As we quietly edged our way to two vacant seats right next to my good friends Marie-Jose and Florent Vogel, my son, with his wife and daughter Liliya, sat three rows in front. Liliya was displaying signs of discontent and the usher who I didn't recognise, kindly came forward and offered her a 'quiet book' to play with. It was a thoughtful gesture and I immediately warmed to him.

I noticed Corinne leading the music...she has such style and enthusiasm. I caught her eye and she smiled. Later, she would be coming for dinner with her husband and daughter.

I desperately wanted to talk with Marie-Jose, but to do so would have been irreverent. I glanced around and noticed so many of the people we have grown to love over the last eight years. It was a good meeting and, in the crush afterwards, we never managed to speak with Florent or Marie-Jose. It will be another eight months before we see them again. I think I'll invite them to dinner in May to make certain we get to talk. In the meantime, I'll practise my French.

I later found out that the stranger at the door who was so kind to Liliya,  is head of President Sarkozy's bodyguards. She was obviously in good hands...as is President Sarkozy, no doubt.

I love being reminded that a common faith can, and often does, bring so many people together who would, under normal circumstances, never have the opportunity to mix.